1n the last part of the letter, Peter speaks about the responsibilities of Christians as members of their Church congregation. In 5: 1-4 he addresses the elders. In Jewish society, as in African society, the older men were the traditional leaders. We read how seventy elders were appointed to help Moses (Numbers 11: 16-30). The elders of a village or city were responsible for judging cases in the community. In Matthew 16:21 and other passages in the gospels, the elders of the Jews are mentioned in association with the teachers of the Law and the chief priests. In Greek society also, elders had both civic and religious duties.

Peter reminds the elders of the Christian congregation of their responsibilities as leaders. They are to be like shepherds under the Chief Shepherd, caring for the flock, serving faithfully and without arrogance. Nowhere else in the New Testament is the title 'Chief Shepherd' used for Jesus Christ but it expresses very well the idea found in both Old and New Testaments, that God's care for his people is like that of the true shepherd for his sheep. Jesus called himself the good shepherd (John 10:11). The apostle speaks to the elders as a fellow-elder who had witnessed the sufferings of Christ and who waited to share in the glory that would be revealed at Christ's return.

In 5:5a Peter addresses the younger men, telling them to be obedient to the elders, and then he addresses all who are in the congregation. All should live humbly with one another, serving one another. There may be a recollection of the action of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John l3:4-5) in 5:5. In 5:7 there is an echo of the teaching of Matthew 6:25-33. In 5:8-9 Peter exhorts his readers to be on their guard and to resist the Devil, pictured as a roaring lion looking for victims. Jesus had warned his disciples to be on guard against temptation in Matthew 26:41. Peter equates the work of the Devil with tempting Christians to be unfaithful to Jesus Christ. The knowledge that other Christians are also suffering should help his readers to endure. In 5: 10 Peter reassures his readers that suffering is only for a little while, after which they will be called by God to share his eternal glory in union with Christ who will make them perfect (5: 1 0). The main part of the letter ends with praise to God (5: 11).

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